Italy’s northernmost province, South Tyrol (Sudtirol), combines Alpine staidness with Italian joie-de-vivre (enjoyment of life).  South Tyrol is a region abounding with contrasts, between Mediterranean landscape and Alpine peaks, deeply rooted tradition and cosmopolitan curiosity. The allure of South Tyrol lies in its variety and the harmony of opposites.

And of course our friend and importer, Jeannie Rogers, has found a special Italian wine there that is perfect for Easter.

2010 Georg Mumelter St. Magdalener

Regular $19.99

Our Price: $15.99 each

In this day when so many wines are hugely alcoholic, made from grapes picked well over a normal degree of ripeness, sometimes a style of wine from a different era is just what the doctor ordered; especially on a day like Easter (or really any afternoon) when you pop your first bottle well before the sun goes down.

For times like these we don’t want to serve a wine so big and rich that after a couple of glasses we’re ready for a nap.  It has to be light and refreshing and that’s exactly what this wine is.  It’s not big and oaky and it’s not tannic. This is a red wine that you serve cool.  Put it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before you drink it and it tastes as good as lemonade on a hot summer day.

Who is Georg Mumelter and what is St. Magdalener? In northeast Italy, the tiny estate of the Mumelter family (named Griesbauerhof)  has been owned by the Mumelter family since 1785. One thousand feet above sea level at the foot of the picturesque hills of St. Magdalener and St. Giustina in Rencio, the estate is filled with sun-drenched vineyards and an ancient wine press. The generous sunlight, breezy south-facing position of the vineyards, and sandy clay soil provide the ideal conditions for the cultivation of this berry filled wine.

The delicious red that Mumelter calls St. Magdalener (named after the village) is Italy’s answer to Beaujolais.  It’s made of the Schiava grape with a small amount of another indigenous Italian grape called Lagrein.  It’s fermented and aged in stainless steel, which helps to preserve its freshness and vibrant nature.

The wine itself is pale red color with an aroma of strawberries, raspberries and tomato leaf, very appetizing.  The palate is bigger and more assertive than the color would suggest but still very drinkable. A faint hint of a crisp Gala apple on the finish adds to its appeal with food.

Like all of the wines we get from Jeannie, Georg and Margaret consistently turn out high quality, fully ripened grapes year after year, which is the result of very attentive vineyard care.  All of their winemaking practices are performed using the most traditional and natural methods possible.

Food Pairing?  Ham, of course.  I think it would go great with anything salty and with salmon, too.  I’m having a little glass while I type this email at 3 PM on a Friday and it’s making me wish I didn’t have to go back to work!  Stop by and try one now or stock up for Easter.  If you like Beaujolais or Oregon Pinot Noir this is a must try.  Remember, 20-30 minutes in the fridge before drinking for maximum enjoyment.

Cheers!

2009 Masciarelli Montepulciano D’Abruzzo (organic)

Regular $10.99

Our Price: $7.99 each (while supplies last)

The wine you want to buy after you fill up your gas tank.

Masciarelli’s Montepulciano D’Abruzzo is a stalwart.  Going back to long before I was drinking wine this Montelpulciano has been a favorite among many of our customers.  It doesn’t have fancy packaging; it doesn’t come with a cute animal on the label, and it certainly doesn’t have a high price tag.

Could this be your new “house red?”  Why not…even if it’s for just one night.  It’s a CLASSIC, well-balanced Italian wine.   It smells of cherries, spice, tobacco and licorice that all blend together perfectly.  On the palate, it’s dry, medium bodied, has a succulent texture and of course those charming earthy qualities you expect from a true Italian red.  The finish is refreshing with some fine tannins and lingering red fruits.  A delicious and solid Italian wine even if it were twice the price.

As I sat and sipped this wine, I decided to poke around the internet to see if others are still enjoying it as much as I do.  It turns out a whole new generation of people have discovered this wine.  It was a pleasure being reminded once again how great a wine this still is for the money and that prompted us to feature it.

Going back twenty years to the 1992 vintage, the Wine Spectator called the Masciarelli Montepulciano, “A great bargain” at $6.  Fast forward to more recent days when Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate said the following about each year:

2005 – “At $10 a bottle it is virtually impossible to beat for value.”
2007 – “The 2007….is hard to beat for the money” at $10.
2008 – “The 2008…is a terrific wine for the money” at $10.

(the organically farmed Masciarelli vineyards)

The trend is obvious and the value is still there.  While this vintage hasn’t yet been rated, it’s amazing that we are able to sell the 2009 vintage for just $2 more than it cost in 1992.  How could that be?  Location, location, location.

Masciarelli has an American outpost right here in Weymouth, Mass.   Not only do they import their own wine from Abruzzo in Italy, but they also have a distribution company that brings their little wine right to our doorstep in a Masciarelli truck.  Their ability to cut out the middleman by doing the importing and distributing themselves keeps the price very fair for all of us wine drinkers.

Whether it’s been a while since you’ve had the Masciarelli or if you’ve yet to try some, it’s a great time to (re)discover the wine that put Abruzzo on map.

(the Masciarelli family including the late Gianni Masciarelli)

With Spring around the corner and warm temps predicted over the next week, it’s a great time to enjoy some delicious white wine. This week we are offering a great value Sauvignon Blanc from Kermit Lynch and two World-Class Chardonnays at a wonderful price.

2010 Neyers Carneros Chardonnay

Regular $32.99

Our Price $24.99 each

93 Points and a “Smart Buy” recommendation from Wine Spectator:

“Notably rich and creamy, yet elegant and refined, this Chardonnay delivers a supple, fleshy beam of white peach, nectarine and fresh-cut flowers, with a creamy vanilla edge.”

This is my favorite over $20 bottle of California Chardonnay.  I’m as happy drinking this as I am eating cake.  You really can’t beat it’s complexity and sheer deliciousness for the price.  It’s one of those special wines where you finish the last sip, you look down at the glass and say to yourself, “Wow, that stuff sure is tasty!”

Owner Bruce Neyers’ experiences over the past several years include working with Kermit Lynch Imports: a group of more than 100 French and Italian vintners.  These wine producers have been important in shaping the style of the Neyers wines.  If you frequent our shops, you know that we are big fans of Kermit Lynch wines, so we have high expectations for Bruce’s wines and those expectations are always exceeded.

Most of the producers in Kermit’s portfolio farm organically, make their wines naturally without use of cultured yeast or laboratory designed winemaking aids, and are comfortable bottling their wines without either fining or filtration. Bruce (a former chemist) has long admired these types of wines, and eagerly adopted many of their natural winemaking practices.  We were delighted to see Wine Spectator give Bruce such a great score for his Carneros Chard.

The average price for a 93 Point California Chardonnay from Wine Spectator over the last two vintages is $57.  And we bring you Neyers Chard, at 93 points, helping to bring that average down at $24.99.

With the summer-like temps next week, treat yourself (or your wife/husband) to this delicious wine.   We have this chilling right now in our cold box or come try it first in Concord or Sudbury this Saturday from 2:00 – 5:00 PM.

2008 Domaine Salvard “Unique” Sauvignon Blanc

Regular $14.99

Our Price $9.99 each

Sancerre fans will rave for this crisp white imported by the legendary Kermit Lynch. Vibrant citrus flavors and excellent minerality highlight this 100%, single estate, domaine grown wine from the organic Salvard vineyards in the Cheverny appellation (Loire Valley, west of Sancerre).

It is a fresh, racy, delicate Loire Valley Sauvignon at an AMAZING price.   The 2008′s are getting up there in age so we got this wine on a great deal.   But like so many other Kermit Lynch whites that one would guess are over the hill, this one is still in it’s prime.  I’ve tried two bottles now and it’s drinking great!

Come try it first in Concord or Sudbury this Saturday from 2:00 – 5:00 PM.

2006 Flowers “Andreen-Gale” Chardonnay  (I’m sorry to say this wine is very limited – I can’t get anymore at this low price so we can’t take email orders for this one, so it’s first come-first served, two bottle limit per customer please.)

Regular $60.00

Our Price $29.99 each

This is a perfectly aged, special bottling of a “restaurant wine” available to you at a ridiculous price.  This “Andreen Gale” bottling is their next level up of quality over their regular Sonoma Chard.  If you like Rombauer and Cakebread Chardonnay and want to know what the next level of quality tastes like, step up to the plate.  Several of our customers “in-the-know” about Flowers have already purchased this wine….and they all came back for more!  Two bottle limit please for this special wine.